Electric contact device.



A. A. KENT.

ELEGTRIG CONTACT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16, 1905.

978,030. Patented Dec. 6,1910.

2 8HEETS8HEET 1.

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wan-1m dcidf KM A. A. KENT.

ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 16, 1905.

978,030. v Patented Dec.6,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

amoentoz ARTHUR .AEWATER KENT, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

,a ncaaonaieaaugust -16, .1205. .Serial No. 274,361. a

To all wlwm v it may concern:

{Be it known that l, Anrmm A'nWA'raR KENT, .a citizen of the United:States, res ding in the-city and county of Philadelphia,

State of .1 -ennsylvania,.-have invented a :new

and useful Electric Contact-Device of which the following is .aspecification.

'lnfgas' engine work and ;in many other places where an electric circuit.must be rapidly madeiand broken, speed, {reliability and uniformity ofthis circuit closing and breaking ;mechanism .are quite important. Inobtaining=these advantages, I .have produceda novelrconstructionofa-circuit controller .ortimer, which is :adapted for both a.jump.and amake and break spark and in which the contact is both :made and :brokenby a singlesnapof aspring andthetime of contact is the .same for allspeeds of .the engine.

A further object of my invention .is to -eliminate the speed of .theengine as a factor ;in determining .the time of contact duration.

In imy novel construction a spring .is brought to tension 1 by the{revolution I of {the engine and the contact is not madeuntil the springis released so lt-hat .the time of contact .is independent of the speed.of .-the engine and depends primarily upon the speed of return ofthespringato its.original position. I

It 3 further consists of other :novel features of construction .all .aswill .be hereinafter fully set forth.

.F'gure 1 ,represents a frontaelevation ofan electric .contact devicelembodying :my invention. r ljig. 2 represents aside eleva tiomthoreofshowing the initial positionof the arts. xFig. 3-represents-aside.elevation simi ante .Fig. 2 lbuttshowin the position the parts assume.on Ithe -furt er revolution of tiet cam-emp'lo ed. Fig.4-represents aside elevationrsimi ar to Fig. 2 showinglthe position the ,parts assume"after the roller has. been -released and is moving I back i to itsoriginaLpOSition. Fig. 5 represents-an application of miy ,inventionadapted :for a makemnd break spark inside thecylinder. Fig. 6 representsa sectional .view on:.1ine

m-.:c,1Fjg..5. 'Fig. 7;represents'an0ther embodiment of my invention, linside. elevation. Similar -.numerals .of preference indicatecorresponding parts inlthe figures.

Referring tothe-drawings: -1 designates a shaft suitab y journaled.andhaving fixedly mounted thereon a disk or plate 2 having-an operativecam surface 3, the latter belng made up of a preferably nearly radialleading face 15, atop 16 and arelease face 17. 4 designates a stationarycam loosely mounted on said shaft, said cam being composed of a.preferably non-radial curved face 18, operating in conjunction with-theface 15 as a wedge,.an intermediate portion 19 and a .seat or stop 20against which the rollerwnormally rests.

.5 designates a roller or pm which constitutes the actuating member ofmy device and which is .held in its normal position in conjunction .withthe face 20.of;the cam 4 by means of springs 6 securedto the ends thereof, the other ends of said springs being suitably secured to any fixedpoint 7 .which is located in such a position thatthe tend encyof thesprings 6 is to cause "the roller 5 to be retracted over the faces 16and 17 to its initial position against the seat or stop 20.

-8 designates the circuit closing member which comprises the movablecontact point support and is preferably a iresilient arm suit ablysecured .at one end to. any desired point and at-the other end providedwith a cam sface 9; having the :frontface 10, :the

bottom face 11 and. the release 'face :12.

21designa-tes aconductor ileading toxthe screw 14 and 22 designates aconductor from the other. end of the circuit to thearnr-S.

:T he operation is as follows :-lls:thecam 2,-which is:fixed on theshaft 1 revolves,-its face 15 initially engages the roller 5 .and movessaid roller forwardlyalong the face 19 of the stationary cam 4 againstthe-tension of the springs-.6. When the roller 5 reachesthe inclinedfaced-8. of the fixed cam 4' the roller will'travel outwardly until itpasses-beyond therface 15, as indicated :in .ig. 3, whereupon lthesprings 6 will cause said .roller rto be quickly z-retnacted, =-saidrollermoving along thezface-l6 of themovable camuntil it engagesthe:face :10 upon LLO the arm 8. The roller will then come into I quicklymade and broken. -On thev further revolution ofthe cam 2, the" cam 3will engage the roller 5 and the operation will be repeated. While Ihave shown the stationary cam as being mounted on the revolving shaft,it is apparent that this can be suit-' ably secured to any convenientsupport and that the result will be the same. By varying the operativesurface of the cam face 9 the duratlon of the cont-act may be increasedor diminished as desired. By slightly changing the contour of the faces10 and 12 so that the same incline downwardly in -the form of a V-shape,it will be readily apparent that the contact will be almost instantlymade and broken while if the lower surface of said cam is faced off theduration of the contact will be increased; -It is ap parent that thecontact in my novel construction is not made until the spring isreleased audit will be readily understood by. .those' skilled inthe-art'ithat the time of contact will be'limited: to the time which isnecessary for the ,rollerto travel ffromithe point at which it isreleased to its initial position and .is practically. independent of thespeed of the en ine. It will also be apparent that the ro er oractuating-member .5- --by being advanced by the cam 3- and returned bythe spring 6 is given a substantially 'reciprocatory movement althoughthe cam itself'has a rotary move ment,'and that on the return movementof the member 5 it is displaced or forced laterally or transversely fromthe path of its advanced movement by the cam surface 18 and the face 16of the cam 3- into atposition such that it returns into a slightlydifferent path from that in which it was advanced, to bring it intoengagement with the circuit closing member and that its speed on itsreturn movement is constant; t at is to say, the time which lapses fromits release'to its return to its original position is constantirrespective of the speed of the advancing means, and that inasmuch asthe spring preferably exerts considerable tension, comparativelyspeaking, upon the member 5 its return movement is racticallyinstantaneous. I employ an inc ined face 17 on the cam 3 for the reasonthat if the engine kicks backwardly the roller 5 will be wedgedoutwardly thus preventing any breakage of the mechanism and it willalsobe noted that if this occurs the roller will not produce a contact. I

face 35.

Inthe embodiment shown in 5 the de vieejs' shown as being adapted or amake and. break spark. The arm 8 is secured at 'one'end to a rock shaft23 which is provided with an arm 24 at the end of which is the contact,said shaft 23 being journaled in a bearing25 in the cylinder 26. 27 desiates a stationary contact which is insulate y from the cylinder as M28and provided with a suitable connection 29. 30 designates the groundconnection which is connected with the cylinder at any suitable point.As the spring arm 8 is actuated b the cams, the shaft 23 will be rockedan the contact on the arm 24 will engage the stationary contact 27 andmake a contact.

In the embodiment shown in .Fig. 7, 31 designates a cam mounted on ashaft'32 and having an o erative cam surface 33 rovided with a eadingface 34 and an inclined 36 designates a leverarm pivoted at 37 and oneend of which is adapted to be engaged by the cam 33. 38 designates anarm pivoted at 39 to the other end of the lever 36. 40 designates aspring secured to the arm 36 and engaging a pin 41 on the arm 38 wherebysaid arm 38 is normally retained in alinement with the arm 36. 42designates a bevel at the end of the arm 38. 43 designates a springarmsuitablysupported and having secured thereto a'contact. adapted toco-act with a" contact' 45, the endLof-said arm engaging thebeveled endof'thesarm 38 during the operation. 46 designates a stop for thespringarm'43. '47 designates a tension spring for the arm 36.

The operation will be as follows: As the cam 32 revolves the leadin face34 of the cam 33 will engage theen of the lever 36 and cause said leverto be turned on its pivotal point 37 which will cause the other end ofsaid arm 36 tobe moved downwardly. The arm 38 which is hinged at 39 willbe moved only slightly downward but will turn on its hinge 39 and thebevel 42will pass under the end of the arm 43, it being understood thatthe tension of the s ring 43 is normally in the direction ofe stop 46which revents the arm 43 from being moved ownwardly by the arm 38. Asthe arm 36 returnsto'dts initial position, due

to the spring 47 the end of the arm 38 will engage the end of the spring43 and cause said spring to be moved upwardly and the contact 44 willengage the other contact 45 thus. completin e circuit, it being seenthat, owing to t e point at which the arm 38 is hinged, said arm will'besubstantially in alinement with the arm 36 as said arm 36 returns to itsnormal position.

It will be notedthat in my novel construction the contact is madepositivel and that I do not rely upon momentum. wish .to callspecialattention to the movement of the'pin or wedging device 5 since the samethe circuit closing member.

does not move rearwardly over the same path in which it is brought totension and this wcdging'device on its return movement both makes andbreaks the contact. This provides a certain and positive {operation ofThe movable member 5 operates between two fixed points located at eachend of its path of movement. It normally rests against the shoulder orstop 20 but is intermittently moved to the opposite end of its pathagainst the shoulder 18 by which it is released. This movable member 5contacts or engages with the circuit closing member or sup ort 8intermediate of the ends of its pat of movement,

or, in other words, intermediate the points between which it is moved bythe cam or moving member 2. a

I have deemed it unnecessary to show and describe various details oraccessories adapted to co-act with my invention, as the construction ofthe same will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they form, per86, no partof my present invention. It will be further apparent that themanner of supporting and assembling the springs 6 with respect to thepin 5 and themanner of supporting the'arm 8 and its adjuncts may bevaried according to requirements and I may also vary the contour of thevarious cam faces according to the exigencies of the case withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention and I do not therefore desireto be limited in every instance to the exact construction herein shownand described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, astop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, meansfor advancing said member to increase the tension thereon, separatemeans for releasing said member, and a contact member disconnected fromand co-acti ng with said movable member on its return move ment to bothmake and break the circuit.

2. In a contact device, the combination of a movable member, a tensiondevice therefor, a movable cam for advancing said member, and acting inconjunction with a stationary cam to effect the release and return ofsaid member and means disconnected from said member and co-actingtherewith on the return movement of said member to both make and breakthe circuit.

3. In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a tensiondevice therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means foreffecting the release and return of said member in a different path fromthat in which it was advanced and means coactiug with said member on thereturn move-.

ment thereof to both make and break the circuit.

4. In a contact device, the combination of amovable member, a tensiondevice therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means foreffecting the release and return of said member, and a-spring' contactarm independent of and disconnected from said movable member andco-acting therewith on the return movement of said member to both makeand break the circuit before said member reaches its initial position.

5. In a contact device, a movable member, a stop for limiting themovement of said member in one direction, means for advancing saidmember, means for returning said member to said stop in a different pathfrom that in which it was advanced, and a contact member disconnectedfrom and co-acting with said movable member on its return movement. andintermediate the points be tween which it was advanced to both make andbreak the circuit.

6. In a contact device, a movable member,

a tension device therefor, a stop for limiting the movement of saidmember in one direction, means for advancing said member to increase thetension thereon, separate means for releasing said member, said memberreturning to the stop in a different path from that in which it wasadvanced, and a contact member disconnected from and co-acting with saidmovable member on its return movement to both make and break thecircuit.

7. In a contact device, the combination of a movable member, a tensiondevice therefor, means for advancin said member, a resilient contact armindependent of said movable member, means disconnected from said arm foreffecting the release and return of said member, and means carried bysaid arm and 'co-acting with said member on its return movement to causesaid arm to hold-the circuit closed for a definite uniform length oftime and to then break the circuit.

8.. In a contact device, the combination of a movable member, a tensiondevice therefor. means for advancing said member, a resilient contactarmindependent of said movable member, means engaged by said movablemember for effecting the release of said member, said member returningin a different path from that in which it was advanced, and a stationarycontact co-acting with the contact on said contact arm on the returnmovement of saidmovable member to both make and break the circuit.

9. In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a tensiondevice therefor, means for advancingsaid member, separate "means engagedby saidmovable member for effecting the release of the same, means toforce said member on its return into a path different from that in whichit was ad- 'vanced, and means disconnected from said -member andcoacting therewith on-the rewith which said movable member co-acts tomake and break the circuit on the return movement of the latter.

11. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, astationary releasing member with which the movable member co-acts, amovable cam member having a leading face, top face and release face,said movable cam member co-acting with the movable member and thestationary release member to effect the release and return of saidmovable member, the latter being in the path'of the leading face of themovable cam member, and a contact member coacting with said movablemember on its return movement to both make and break the circuit.

-12. In a contact device, a. movable member, a tension device therefor,a stationary member having a non-radial cam face thereon with which themovable member coacts, a movable cam member co-acting with said movablemember and said non-radial cam face to effect the release and return ofsaid movable member in a different path from that in which it wasadvanced, and a contact member with which said movable member coacts onits return movement to cause a contact to be both made and broken.

13. In a contact device a movable member and a tension device therefor,means for advancing said member, separate means engaged by said movablemember for effecting the release of the same, means for guiding saidmovable member on its return in a path different from that in which itwas advanced, a second movable member co-acting with the return movementof said first movable member, a contact carried by said second member,and a second contact with which said first contact co-acts to make andbreak the circuit.

14. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor,means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting therelease and return of said member in a different path from that in whichit was advanced, a second movable member co-acting with the return ofsaid first movable member, a contact carried by said sec- .ond member, astationary contact co-acting therewith to make and break the circuit,and means for preventing a contact being made if the means for advancingsaid movable member travels in a reverse direction.

15. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor,means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting therelease and return of said member, a second movable member coacting withthe return of said first movable member, a contact carried by saidsecond member, a stationary contact co-acting therewith to make andbreak the circuit, and means for preventing a contact being made if themeans for advancin said movable member travels in a reverse direction.

16. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, amovable cam for advancing said member, separate means for effecting therelease of said member, a stop for said member, an adjustable stationarycontact, and a movable contact carrying member coacting therewith -tomake and break the circuit on the return movement of said movablemember, said movable .cam when moved in a reverse direction coactingwith said movable member and said stop to prevent a contact being made.

17. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor,means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting therelease of said member, means disconnected from and coacting with themovable member on its return movement to cause a contact to be both madeand broken, and means for preventing said movable member engaging withsaid contact forming means when the advancing means travels in a reversedirection.

18. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, astop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, meansfor advancing said member to increase the tension thereon, separatemeans for releasing said member, and means for preventing said movablemember engaging with said contact member when the advancing means forsaid member travels in a reverse direction.

19. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, anadvancing member to advance said movable member against said tensiondevice, means engaged by said movable member for releasing the same toallow it to return in a reverse direction to the movement of saidadvancing member, and a contact member disconnected from and coactingwith the return movement of said first movable member to both make andbreak the circuit.

20. In a contact device a movable member and a tension device therefor,a rotating advancing member, means for effecting the release of saidmovable member, means for guiding said movable member on its returnmovement in a path different, from that in which it was advanced and ina reversed direction to the rotation of the rotating advancing member,and a contact member disconnected from and co-acting with the returnmovement of said movable member to both make-and break the circuit. I

21. In a .contac'tdevice, a movable mem ber, a tension device therefor,means for increasing the tension on said member by a displacementthereof, and separate means engaged by said member for releasing thesame from said tension increasing means.

In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a tensiondevice therefor, a cam adapted to advance said member, separate meansengaged by said member for effecting a release and return of the same,andmeans positively operated by the return movement of said member tofirst close and then open a circuit.

23. In a contact device the combination of a stationary member, amovable member, a tension device therefor, and means for advancing saidmovable member, said advancing means acting in conjunction with saidstationary member to effect the release and return of the said movablemember.

24. In a contact device the combination of a relatively stationarymember, a relatively movable member, a tension device therefor, meansfor advancing said movable member, said advancing means acting inconjunction with said stationary member to effectthe release and returnof the said movable member, and means positively operated by the movablemember on its return movement for first holding a circuit closed for auniform length of time and then breaking said clrcuit.

25. In a contact device the combination of a movable member undertension, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in onedirection, means for advancing said member against theaction of saidtension, separate means for releasing said member from said advancingmeans, and means to cause said member to return to said stop in adifferent path fromthat in which it was (advanced.

26. In a contact device the combination of a movable member undertension, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in onedirection, means for bodily advancing said member against the action ofsaid tension, means to cause said member to return to said stop in adifferent path from that in which it was advanced, and means positivelyoperated by said movable member on its return movement for first holdinga circuit closed for a definite length of time, and then to rapidlybreak said circuit.

27,111 a contact device the combination of a movable member, means foradvancing said member, means for returning said member, and meansintermediate of the points between which said movablemember is actuallymoved by said advancing means and operated by said movable member on itsreturn movement, to both make and break a circuit.

28. In a contact device a contact member, a movable member normally atone end of its path, means for advancing said member to the opposite endof its path, means for returning .said member to its original position,and forpositively forcing s'ald member during its return movement intoand out of engagement with said contact member intermediate the pointsbetween which it is moved by said advancing means. v

29. In a contact device, a movable member normally at one end of itspath, means to advance said member to the opposite end of its path andmeans operatively engaged by said member on its return movement/andintermediate the points between which it is moved by said advancingmeans to open and close-a circuit. p

30. In a contact device, a movable member adapted to be-Inoved betweentwo points and normally located at one of saidpoints, a contact membersituated between said points, means to move said movable member from onepoint to the other without operating said contact device and means tocause said member to operate said contact member on its return movementto make and break the circuit.

31. In a contact device a movable cont-act arm, a movable member undertension and normally at one end of its path, means for moving saidmember to the opposite of its path, means for returning said member toits original position, and means for laterally displacing said memberduring its return movement and intermediate the ends of its path intoandout of contact with said contact arm.

32. In a contact device a yielding contact arm, a movable membernormally atone end of its path, means for advancing said member at avariable speed, separate means cooperating with said advancing means forreleasing said member, means for returning said member when released toits original position and at a uniform rate of speed, and means topositively move said movable member into operative engagement with saidyielding contact arm intermediate the point of its release and itsoriginal position. V

33. In acontact device a movable contact arm, a movable member undertension normally at one end of its path, means for moving said member tothe opposite end of. its path against the action of said tension, andmeans to positively move said movable mem ber vwhen released into andout of contact with said movable arm intermediate the points betweenwhich it is moved by said, first mentioned means.

34. In a contact'device a movable member normally held under tensionagainst a stop, means to move said member away from said stop toincrease the tension thereon, separate means to release said member toallow said tension to return it tos'aid stop, and a contact armositively engagedand' moved by said mem r on 1ts return movement andbefore the same engages said stop.

35. In a contact device, acontact arm, a movable member, means toadvance said member in one direction, independent means to return it toits original position in a uniform length of time and means to laterallydisplace said member to force the same into engagement with said contactarm and before said member reaches its original position.

'36; In a contact device, a contact member, a movable member undertension normally at one end of its path, advancing means for moving saidmovable member to the opposite end of its path against the action ofsaid tension, and means to positively move said movable member whenreleased into and out of oJerative engagement with said contact memberintermediate the points between which it'is actually moved by saidadvancing means. 7

37. In a contact device, a contact member, a movable member undertension normally "at one end of its path, means for moving said movablemember to the opposite end of its path means for returning said memberto its original position and means for laterally displacing said memberduring its return movement and intermediate the ends of its path intoand out of operative engagement with said contact member.

38. A movable member normally situated at one extreme end of its path,means to move said member to the opposite end of'its path and meansengaged by said member on its return movement and intermediate .the

points between which it is moved by said moving means for making andbreaking a circui 39. In a contactdevice a contact member a movablemember normally situated at one end of its path, means to give saidmovable member a substantially reciprocatory movement and means engagedby said movable member on its movement in oneidirection and intermediatethe pointsbe'tween which it is actually moved by said first mentionedmeans to close and open a circuit. a

40. A movable member normallysituated at one end of its path, means toadvance said member to the other end of its path, and means operated bysaid member on its return movement and intermediatethe points betweenwhich it is moved by said advancing member for making and breaking acircuit.

41. In a contact device a contact member,

a movable member under tension normally at one end of its path, meansfor moving said member to the opposite end of its path and before ber,and means to cause said reciprocatory member to traverse that portion 0its path in which it operates said circuit closing member in asubstantially constant interval of time irrespective of the speed atwhich said reciprocatory member traverses other portions of its path.

43. In a contact device a reciprocatory member, and a circuit closingmemberadapted to be engaged by said reclprocatory member atapre-determined point intermediate the ends of the path-of saidreciprocatory member, and means to cause said reciprocatory member totraverse that portion of its path in which it engages said circuitclosing member at a substantially instantaneous speed irrespective ofthe speed at which said reciprocatory member traverses the otherportions of its path.

HuIn a contact device a movable circuit closing member and an actuatingmember under tensionnormally at one end of its path, means for movingsaid actuating memher to the other end of its path and for returning itto its original position, and vmeans for laterally displacing saidactuati' member during its return movement an inter- .mediate the endsof its path into-and out ofoperative engagement with said circuitclosing member.

45. In a contact device a stationary contact point, driving means, amovable contact point, and a support therefor, a reciprocatory actuatingmeans and means to move "said actuating means in a slightly looped pathto -momentarily bring said contact points into engagement with eachother.

46. In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a st-oagainst which said member is normally hel means to advance.

said member, means to return said member against said stop in' asubstantially constant interval of time, and a circuit closi member o)eratively engaged and moved fiy said mova le member on its returnmovement the return of said member to said ARTHUR ATYVATER KENT.Witnesses: H. SrocKwELL FAIRBANKS,

C. D. MCVAY.

stop.

